some of us have been observing us for a long time. we have made many visits and many briefings which are deeply concerning. so i hope that you will, in your assessment, and in your ability to take into consideration seriously our ability to complete the message. that is a stable afghanistan that is able to defend itself over time. frankly, i'm not sure that is the case today. i am not sure if we start drawing down immediately that we may be able to achieve that goal. we have sacrificed a lot, as you know far better than i do. we are going to want to have an assessment as to whether this mission can actually succeed or not. i thank you for your willingness to serve. >> i thank you, senator mccain. >> senator? >> yes, i would like to begin by expressing my confidence in general bumpers, in every sense of the word, his integrity and his respect. the greatest award in the marine corps for leadership is to give someone command. the general has commanded battalions and regiments and he was commanding general of the first expeditionary force